Bennett L. Spiegel

Bennett Spiegel has advised debtors, creditors, creditors' committees, bondholders, trustees, and asset purchasers in complex restructurings and Chapter 11 bankruptcies for more than three decades.

Bennett is currently representing All American Oil & Gas Inc. and its affiliates as debtors in their Chapter 11 cases in San Antonio. He recently concluded his representation of the Royal Bank of Scotland plc and certain of its affiliates in the Thornburg Mortgage Chapter 11 cases in Baltimore, where he settled claims in excess of US$500 million asserted by the Chapter 11 trustee for less than 5 percent of the amount asserted after nine years of litigation. Earlier in 2018, he concluded his representation of Dignity Health as a joint venturer with certain of the debtors in the Adeptus Chapter 11 cases in Dallas. Bennett represented Los Angeles-based Relativity Media in its television business Section 363 sale and confirmation of its Chapter 11 reorganization plan around its film business in New York, reducing debt by more than US$600 million.

Prior to joining Hogan Lovells, Bennett's successes included plan confirmation in MF Global creditor plan proponents for more than US$1 billion and dismissal of claims seeking US$4.3 billion from Adelphia nonagent secured lenders. Bennett successfully represented Greenwich Capital against the ABFS Chapter 7 trustee seeking more than US$100 million in which a summary judgment was entered against the trustee on all claims. He also advised Greenwich Capital in its US$500 million, US$215 million, and US$100 million DIP financings of ABFS, Oakwood Homes, and New Century Financial. Other Chapter 11 creditor representations included lead trial counsel for the creditors' committee plan proponent in the US$600 million Reed Slatkin Ponzi scheme case, asset purchaser Morgan Creek, and Mötley Crüe in the bankruptcy of its lead singer.

Awards and recognitions

2011-2019

Bankruptcy/Restructuring (California)Chambers USA

2005-2018

Bankruptcy: BusinessSouthern California Super Lawyers

2019

Finance: Restructuring (including bankruptcy)Legal 500 US

Education and admissions

Education

J.D., Yale Law School, 1984

M.B.A., Yale School of Management, 1983

B.A., Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Rutgers College, with highest honors, 1980